Parking lamp



July 14, 1931.

G. H. CUSHING v PARKING LAMP Filed Dec. 5. 1929 m w z KWVJW Patented July 14, 1931 STA OFiFl CE ononen cnsnrne, or wnsnrne'ron, msrmcr on COLUMBIA EPA-BRING LAMP Original application filed November 25,1924, .-Serial "No. 752,214, and. November 20, 1929, Serial No. 408,643. Dividedand "this application 'filed December 5, 1929. Serial No. 111,919.

nnethod of practically eiiecting the concept of this invention is to provide a lamp housing.;l1ayi1i a primary reflector ,surrounding ,alight source, mounted therein and a multidirectional secondary reflector positioned ,above the primary reflector, the secondary reflector being adapted to direct light from the-lamp housing in a plurality of directions.

In order to make my invention more clearly ,un'derstood, I ,haveshown .in the accompanying ,drawings, means ,for carrying the same into ,wpractical'eflect without limiting the improvements in their useful applications to the particular constructions which, for the purpose 'ofeXplana-tion, have been made the subject of illustration.

Inthe drawings:

gFi-gure lis a vertical sectional view of the damp.

Figure Qisanend view of the lamp.

Figure 8 is a vertical sectional view along thevline 3'3 of'Figur-e 1.

{The invention relates in general to lamps and more particularly has referenceto lamps used as headlights or other lamps equipped with reflector-s.

This application is a [division of application Serial No. 15231 4 filed November 2f 19%, and application Serial No. 408,643 zfilfld November 20, 1929.

The major object of this invention is the provision of a novel indicating and running lamp for vehicles.

An equally important object of the invention isithe provision of-an indicatingand running lamp for vehicles .and i besides serving to indicate the vehicle when it is inmotion or at a standstill will alsoserve inaiding persons approaching the vehicleto definitely ,locate its position.

Another object oil-the invention is to provide an indicating and runninglight o fsimple and compact design possessing great strength and rigidity.

Another object ol' my invention is to provide a lamp in whieh the.direct igays ctrom the lightsource are shielded.

A further object of my invention is to provide alamp which utilizesall-of the light emanatingafrom; the light source and one that is adapted to rfocus; the lightupon the surf-ace to be illuminated.

A still further object-off mydnvention'is'to pro de lamp which not only l'ocurjes the light upon a givensurface, butalso shields the lightraysin suchma-nneras toprevent any .glare to inconvenience or endanger a as sonin the path of its light.

Nith these and other objects in view which may: be incident to my; improvements, the. invention consists'in the parts and combinations to be hereinafter set forth and claimed, -M'lll1 the understanding thatthe several necessary elements comprising my invention may be varied in construction, proportions and arrangement without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

The invention,comprehends the provision of ,a novel indicating and running lamp for usewith a vehicle in order that its exact positionmay be determined at all times and at any angle from which it is viewed. One

bodied in Figure 1 and having a modified form of secondary reflecting surfaces.

Throughout the different views similar reference numerals refer .to like parts. Referring'to Figure lyl have shown an illus- *tration of my invention in the form of an automobile parking lamp. The lamp is termed with a housing 1, and contained within -thehousing is a source of light 4; which is surrounded by a prima-ry reflector 11.

The housing linay be formed in any desired manner and is preferably provided with .a loweiqwell-like portion in which is mounted the light source 4:: and the-parabolic reflector 11. Reflector 11 is provided with a flange .12 about the outer edge thereof which is inthe housing to properly position the reflector inthehousing. A tubular projection ,2 isformed on the reflector 11 which extends through a flanged opening 3 in the lower -ti-on may-be spun outwardly to secure the reflector i-n,-the housing. A lampand plug n eceptaclewdof any available type may be positioned in l the tubular p-roj ection 2, and ma be provided with the usual plug Figure dis a modification ofthe lampemadaptedtoengage with a shoulder formed;

wall of the housing 1. Thistubular projecvehicles are not properly lighted.

Opposite the primary reflector, in addition to the cover 1 of the housing, is a multidirectional secondary reflector 9 f0rmed of two parabolic reflecting surfaces 26 and 26. The secondary reflector 9 is mounted upon the cover by suitable screw means 17. It should be observed that the substantially parabolic reflecting surfaces 26 and 26 are positioned back to back with respect to each other so that the cross section of the secondary reflectors, as shown in Figure 1 presents symmetrical halves. Moreover the adj acent arms of the parabolas forming these surfaces are joined together at their ends along a line substantially perpendicular to the major axis of the primary reflector as shown by the dotted line in Figure 3.

Vfhile surfaces 26 and 26 have been shown symmetrically positioned this construction need not be followed if desired. For example, the size of either the parabolic sections 26 and 26 may differ from each other without departing from the spiritof the invention.

Mounted within the housing are three lenses. One lens 28 is to be used to give light in the forward direction, and another lens 29, which may be of colored glass, is used as the signal for the parking light. Mounted within the housing with its axis at an angle thereto, is a dispersing lens 30 which is to be used to direct the light rays upon the side or the running board of the vehicle. From an inspection of Figure 1 it will be noted that the lenses 28 and 29 are in parallel planes while the lens 30 is in a plane which is angularly disposed with respect to that of the previously mentioned lenses.

The theory of my improved parking and running lamp is that the lenses are so arranged as to give light in the proper direction both when the vehicle is in operation and when parked. It is well known that night driving is particularly hazardous when the By this, I mean that at night it is difficult to gauge the distance between passing machines unless there is some light thrown on the body of the machine. It is with this idea in mind that I have provided the dispersing lenses shown in my parking lamp. As is well understood light rays from the light source will be deflected from the primary reflector in a direction which is parallel to the major axis thereof and these rays will impinge upon the reflecting surfaces 26 and 26 of the secondary reflector after which they will be again reflected through the various lenses associated with the lamp.

The light rays R reflected from the secondary reflector 9 pass through the lens 30 and are dispersed along the side of the car and light up the space beneath and along the running board. This gives the approaching motorist an opportunity to distinguish the elements of the car and also will serve to illuminate the space of the road between the passing cars. This is particularly desirable when the high-powered headlights are dimmed both for the reason that the sudden dimming is very apt to cause confusion to the driver of the approaching vehicle unless there is an auxiliary light which will serve to give a lighted surface on the side of the car. The colored lens 29, of course, is used when the car is parked and the lens 28 gives a light in the direction in which the vehicle is moving, which would be sufficient to light the road if the headlights were turned off. It also serves the purpose as a pilot light when the vehicle is parked.

Usually parking lamps are of small candle power for reasons of economy desired in the use of such lamps. \Vith my improved reflecting surface, I am enabled to utilize all of the light emanating from the small candle power bulb and it is so reflected from the secondary reflector to give maximum light intensity.

WVhile in the construction shown the indi eating and running lamp is positioned upon a front fender or mudguard of an automobile, it should be observed that by merely placing the lenses 2.) and 30 on the right hand side of the lamp as shown in Figure 1 and the lens 28 on the left hand side of the lamp, the structure may be positioned upon a rear mudguard of an automobile with equally advantageous results.

Referring to Figure 2, the dispersing lens 30 is shown in its relative position with the colored diffusing lens 29 mounted in the lions ing 1 of the lamp and at the rear of the lamp.

In Figure 3, I have shown the cover 1 of the housing fitting down over the sides and upon which is mounted the secondary reflector 9. The cover is fastened to the housing 1 by suitable screw means 31.

There is shown in Figure l a somewhat modified form of the indicating and running light. The embodiment here shown differs from that disclosed in Figure 1 only in the shape of the reflecting surfaces of the secondary multi-directions reflector 9. In Figure 4 one of the reflecting surfaces 27 is substantially parabolic in shape, while the other reflecting surface is broken by being formed of a curvilinear portion 2'" provided with an extension portion 25 which is joined thereto along a line lying to the right or outside of a vertical projection of the greatest diameter of the primary parabolic reflector. It should be noted that the curvilinear portion is in effect an arc comparatively great curvature so as to form a substantially straight surface and more ver it is positioned at such an angle with respect to the major axis of the primary reflector that the light rays R deextension 25.

flected therefrom will'besubstant-ially horizontal as shown. It should be observed that the curvilinear portion 27' is joined to the arm of the parabolic surface 27 along a line substantially at right angles to the major axis of the primary reflector.

The purposeot h' i s construction is apparent from a consideration of the features involved. As is Well understood light rays from-the light source Will be reflected from the primary reflector parallel to the major axis thereof? and Willthence strike the secondary reflector 9. The portion of the light impinging uponthe surface 27 will be directed through the lens 29 and the lens 80 as previously described. Light striking the surface 27 Will bereflected as rays or pencils which are substantially horizontal.

Vfhile theory explains a parabolic reflector, such as that employed for the-primary reflecting surface, as reflecting all of the light from the light source in rays parallel tothe principalaxis of the reflector, i-t is'ivell understood and recognized that a certain amount oi light from the light source is not reflected in this manner but escapes as free light, To provide for this condition the right reflector is formed of two separate surfaces, the curvilinear portion 27 and the Thus it maybe seenthat sub stantially all of the free light striking upon the surface 27 and 25 will be reflected through the lens 28. The length of the extension 25 is suchthat a ray of free light striking upon its le iit end or its end opposite to the lens 28 'Will be deflected "through-this lens. It is evident that the lengths of the curvilinear portion 27 and theeX-tension 25 are dependent upon such factors as the size of the primary reflector, the strength of the light source, the dimensions of the lens 28, the angular position of the surface 27 with respect to the major axis of the primary rcflector and the degree of curvature of the curvilinear portion 27;, and also upon the distance between the light source and the secondary reflector. v a

It will be appreciated that the advantages of the second embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 4 for the purpose of controlling tree light may be incorporated in the device shownin Figures 1 througl-i 8. llor example, :the parabolic surfaces 26 and 26' may be constructed of diflerent sizes-by forming the pa-rabolas ith their focus points positioned at unequal distances from their vertexes. Moreover it Will be appreciated that by positioning the unequal parabolic surfaces so that their major axes form unequal angles With a vertical plane passing through the light source, it will be appreciated that thei'ree light may be furthercontrolled. l j

In both embodiments of the invention, if

it is'des-ired an auxiliary refiector-in'the form of a miniature paraboloid may be positioned around the light source. By such an expedient the amount of uncontrolled free light is materially reduced.

While the foregoing eonst-ruct onhas been 1 described as of particular use for automobiles it is to be understood that it may be employed for other vehicles and in fact may be used Wherever a strong light 'is desired Without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Likewise it should be'un-derstood that While 1 have disclosed an electric bulb as providing the li ht source for thelamp, other means of illumination, such as illumina ing gases may be employed if desired Without departing from the scope of the appended claims It will be appreciated from the foregoing description that I have provided an auxiliary lamp which will illuminate a vehicle so as to indicate its position at all times and When viewed in any manner. It may also be appreciated that ll have provided an indicating'and running lamp which besides being of sturdy construction, possessing great strength and rigidity,is of simple design.

While I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, I Wish it to be understood that I do not confine myself to the precise details of construction herein .1

set forth, by Way o it'il'lustra-tion, as it is apparent that many changes and variations may be made therein by those skilled in the artyvvithou-t departing ff-romthe spirit of the invention, or exceeding the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A lamp structure comprising a hous ing, a source of light, a-primary reflector, a secondary reflector, and a plurality ol light dispersing lenses, one of said lenses lying in a plane angularly positioned with respect to the planes of the other lenses.

2. A lamp comp-rising a housing, a source of light, a primary reflector, a secondary reflector and a plurality of light dispersing lenses, one of said lenses lying in a plane diflerent from the plane of the remaining lenses, said remaining lenses lying in parallel planes. I v

3. A lamp comprising a housing, a light source positioned in the lower portion {of the housing, a reflector position-ed around the light source and adapted to project light from the source upwardly, a reflector positioned abovethe light source adapted to project light falling thereon through an opening in one side of the housingand through van opening in .the opposite side of the housa. A lamp structure comprising a housing, a light sourcepositioned in the lower portion ofthe'housing, a reflector positioned around the light source and adapted :to project light 'liroin the source upwardly, a reflector positioned above the light source adapted to project light falling thereon through an opening in one side of the housing and through an opening in the opposite side of the housing, and meansin said openings for dispersing light passing therethrough.

5. A lamp structure for vehicles comprising a housing, a light source in the lower portion thereof, a parabolic reflector surrounding said' light source and adapted to project light from said source upwardly, a multi-directional reflector positioned above said light source so as to receive rays reflected from said parabolic reflector, said multidirectional reflector being adapted to project light falling thereon through a plural ity of oppositely disposed openings in said housing.

6. A lamp structure for vehicles comprising a housing, a light source in the lower portion thereof, a parabolic reflector surrounding said light source and adapted to project light from said source upwardly, a multi-directional reflector positioned above said light source so as to receive rays reflected from said parabolic reflector, said multi-directional reflector being adapted to project light falling thereon, through a plurality of oppositely disposed openings in said housing, one of said openings being in a plane angularly positioned with respect to the plane of the other openings. 7

7. A lamp for vehicles comprising a housing provided with a depending well-like portion and a detachable cover, a parabolic reflector having a peripheral flange positioned in said well-like portion of the housing, said flange cooperating with the housing to position the reflector therein, asecondary reflector secured to the detachable cover for said housing and adapted to project light directed by the parabolic reflector through a plurality of openings formed in said housing. I

8. A lamp structure for vehicles comprising a housing, a well-like portion formed in said housing, a parabolic reflector positioned in said well-like portion and havinga peripheral flange adapted to coact with a shoulder formed about the well-like portion of said housing to position the reflector, a tubular projection extending from the vertex portion of said parabolic reflector and extending through an opening in the lower portion of said well, said flange and tubular projection serving to position said reflector within said housing, said housing having an opening in one end thereof and an opening in the opposite end thereof and a third opening in one end beneath the aforesaid opening, a reflector positioned in the upper portion of said housing adapted to project light from the light source through each of said openings, and means in said openings to disperse light passing therethrough.

9. A lamp structure for vehicles comprising a housing, a well-like portion formed in said housing, a parabolic reflector positioned in said well-likeport-ion and having a peripheral flange adapted to coact with a shoulder formed about the well-like portion of said housing to position the reflector, a tubular projection extending from the vertex portion of said parabolic reflector and extending through an opening in the lower portion of said well, said flange and tubular projection serving to position said reflector within said housing, said housing having an opening in one end thereof and an opening in the opposite end thereof and a third opening in one end beneath one of the aforesaid openings, a reflector positioned in the upper portion of said housing adapted to project light from the light source through each of said openings.

10. A lamp structure comprising a housing, a light source positioned therein, a primary reflector surrounding said light source, and a multi-directional reflector having two separate reflecting sections positioned above said primary reflector, one of said reflecting sections being formed of a parabolic surface and the other of said sections being formed of a curvilinear surface having an extension portion formed thereon, the multi-directional reflector being adapted to project light from the lamp housing in a plurality of directions.

11. A lamp comprising a housing, a light source positioned therein, a primary re flector surrounding said light source, and a multi-directional reflector having two separate reflecting sections positioned above said primary reflector, one of said reflecting sections being formed of a parabolic surface and the other of said sections being formed of a curvilinear surface with an extension portion formed thereon, the parabolic surface and the curvilinear surface being positioned back to back with respect to each other so that an end of the curvilinear surface coincides with an arm of the parabola forming the parabolic surface along a line perpendicular to the major axis of said prisaid parabolic reflecting section of the multidirectional reflector being positioned adjacent the end of the housing having the plurality of openings, and the curvilinear reflecting section being positioned adjacent the end of the housing having the single openmg.

13. A lamp structure for vehicles comprising a housing, the upper portion of said housing being provided With an opening at an end thereof, a second opening lying in a parallel plane thereto at the opposite end of said housing, and a third opening below the first mentioned opening angularly disposed With respect thereto, a light source in the lower portion of said housing, a parabolic reflector surrounding said light source and adapted to project light from said source upwardly, a multi-directional reflector formed of a separate reflecting section having a parabolic shaped surface and a separate reflecting section having a curvilinear shaped surface provided with a substantially straight extension portion, said parabolic reflecting section of the multi-directional reflector being positioned adjacent the end of the housing having the plurality of openings, and the curvilinear reflecting section being positioned adjacent the end of the housing having the single opening.

14. An auxiliary lamp for vehicles comprising a housing, a Well-like portion formed in said housing, a parabolic reflector positioned in said Well-like portion and having a peripheral flange adapted to coact With a shoulder formed about the Well-like portion of said housing to position the reflector, a light source arranged at the focus of said reflector, a inulti-directional reflector positioned above said light source and adapted to project light from said lamp housing in a plurality of directions.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

GEORGE H. GUSHING. 

